New Delhi: In what has become one of the darkest moments in India’s aviation history, a haunting final transmission from the cockpit of Air India Flight AI-171 has surfaced, capturing the last desperate plea from the pilot just seconds before the aircraft plunged to the ground. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, leaving at least 274 dead and just one confirmed survivor.
Chilling Final Transmission: “No Power… No Thrust… Going Down…”
Captain Sumit Sabharwal, the senior pilot of the ill-fated flight, issued a brief but alarming Mayday call to the Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control (ATC) moments before the aircraft lost altitude. In the five-second audio clip, which has now been reviewed by authorities, Sabharwal can be heard saying:
“Mayday… Mayday… Mayday… No power… No thrust… Going down…”
The aircraft had taken off around 1:30 PM with 242 people on board — 230 passengers, 10 cabin crew, and 2 pilots. Tragically, among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was en route to London for a private event.
Crash Into Residential Block Kills Dozens More
As the plane failed to gain altitude, it veered off course and crashed into a multi-storey hostel building within a medical college campus in the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad. The violent impact not only killed passengers and crew but also claimed the lives of several students and local residents. Huge plumes of smoke rose from the crash site as rescue teams scrambled to pull out bodies and search for any possible survivors.
The lone survivor, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British-Indian national seated in 11A, miraculously escaped the wreckage with serious injuries. He is currently under medical supervision in an Ahmedabad hospital.
High-Level Probe Ordered; Black Box Recovered
A high-level multi-disciplinary investigation has been launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to determine the exact cause of the crash. One of the aircraft’s black boxes was recovered on the night of the incident and sent for analysis. Authorities are still searching for the second black box and the cockpit voice recorder, which are expected to provide crucial insights into the final moments of the flight.
Preliminary information suggests that the aircraft experienced a complete loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. The pilot’s distress call has fueled concerns about potential mechanical failure, though officials have not ruled out other possibilities, including human error or external factors.
Central agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), have also visited the site to rule out any foul play or sabotage, especially in light of the aircraft’s failure involving both engines — a rare and alarming occurrence.
Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny
In response to the tragedy, the Ministry has tasked the investigative panel with evaluating not just the immediate cause of the crash but also existing aviation safety protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) followed by Air India and airport authorities. The panel will also assess pilot training modules, engine maintenance logs, and the aircraft’s recent servicing records.
The crash has reignited debates about India’s aviation infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and fleet maintenance standards. Several aviation experts have pointed to the need for enhanced oversight, particularly when dealing with long-haul flights and aircraft operating in extreme conditions.
National Mourning and Tributes
Flags flew at half-mast across Gujarat and parts of India as the country mourned the lives lost. Condolences poured in from leaders across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also visited the crash site and met with the families of the victims. “This is not just a national tragedy but a deeply personal loss for hundreds of families,” he said.
The Government of Gujarat has announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh for the families of each victim from the state. Air India, now a Tata Group-owned airline, also pledged full compensation and assistance to the kin of the deceased.
As families begin the grim task of identifying remains, India’s aviation sector braces for what may be one of the most extensive inquiries in recent years.
